Liberia Accelerates Renewable Energy Expansion with Mount Coffee Solar Commissioning

Liberia has taken a significant step in advancing its energy transition strategy with the commissioning of a 20 MW solar photovoltaic plant at the Mount Coffee energy complex, reinforcing efforts to expand generation capacity and improve electricity access across the country.

The facility, officially inaugurated by Joseph Boakai, marks a key milestone in the government’s wider programme to modernise national energy infrastructure. The project was launched less than two years ago, following a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2024, and forms part of a broader initiative to diversify Liberia’s generation mix through renewable energy deployment.

Located alongside the existing Mount Coffee hydropower station, the new solar asset complements plans to expand the hydropower facility by an additional 42 MW, creating a more resilient and balanced power generation portfolio.

Addressing stakeholders during the commissioning ceremony, President Boakai described the project as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening energy security and delivering more reliable and affordable electricity to households, businesses and industrial consumers.
The government views improved electricity access as a critical enabler of economic growth, particularly in sectors such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and services. Persistent power shortages and high electricity costs have historically constrained investment and limited industrial development across Liberia.

Further strengthening the country’s renewable energy ambitions, the President announced that the government secured US$57 million in additional financing from the World Bank in March 2026. The funding package will support the expansion of the solar facility’s capacity from 20 MW to 30 MW, the deployment of a 12 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), and further upgrades at the Mount Coffee complex.

The government also confirmed that 22 MW of previously unavailable hydropower generation capacity has been restored, while development plans remain in place to increase Mount Coffee’s hydropower output by a further 42 MW.

Officials say the combined investments will improve grid reliability, support growing electricity demand and facilitate wider electrification efforts across underserved communities. Parallel investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure are also being pursued to maximise the benefits of new generation capacity.

The Mount Coffee solar project forms part of the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention (RESPITE) programme, a regional initiative launched in 2022 by the World Bank in partnership with the governments of Liberia and Sierra Leone. The programme is designed to address power deficits, accelerate renewable energy deployment and strengthen energy resilience across West Africa.

For Liberia, the latest investment signals growing momentum behind efforts to build a more diversified, sustainable and investment-friendly power sector capable of supporting long-term economic development and industrial growth.